Best Cordless Screwdrivers [Top 10 Products Reviewed]

Everybody needs a screwdriver now and again, right? While a regular screwdriver can do the job, there’s nothing like an electric screwdriver to make the job easier and even more fun!

And there’s nothing like a cordless electric screwdriver for maximal convenience and versatility.

Before you run out and buy the first one you see, though, it’s important to realize that some cordless screwdrivers are pieces of junk. I’ve done the research and tested out a bunch of screwdrivers and now you can benefit.

I’ve compiled this list of the very best cordless screwdrivers. There’s a mix of price points and levels of screwdriving power on this list, so there’s the right tool for everyone from the casual user who just does occasional projects around the house to the professional looking for a serious tool.

I considered things like total power output, battery life, size and weight, durability, comfort, performance, extra features, and price to select the very best tools. Which one of these cordless screwdrivers is right for you? Read on to find out.

This cordless screwdriver has a very compact and lightweight design, weighing just under 2 pounds. In addition to the compact size, it has excellent balance and that really helps to minimize strain and tension.

For a cordless driver, it offers quite a bit of power with 500 RPM and 100 in./lbs. of torque. It has some nice bonus features like a battery fuel gauge and a built-in LED light so you can see what you’re doing.

Another great feature is the one-handed quick release bit-loading. Milwaukee is known for having some of the very best lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are small and compact but store quite a bit more power than similar compact batteries.

Pros

built-in LED light

batteries have time-saving features

compact size and excellent balance

quick bit loading

5-year warranty

good value for money

Cons

design not ideal for lefties

top speed is on the slow side

Verdict: Milwaukee Tool is a very trustworthy name so you can expect quality and durability with the Milwaukee Compact Driver. This one really stands out for its compact size and some of its bonus features.

Verdict: Especially considering the price, the Hitachi DB3DL2 is a great value. The dual-grip handle will let you get at odd or tight spaces and the settings will let you personalize it to your liking.

Black & Decker has earned their status as a trustworthy manufacturer of high-quality tools. This screwdriver is no exception but at this price point, you can expect to get what you pay for. That is to say, this is a good basic screwdriver for a lot of jobs but there are some negatives as well. The biggest negatives are in relation to the NiCad batteries. There is no charge status light which is annoying but more importantly, the batteries are non-replaceable.

Although there are some cons, these batteries do hold a charge for a really long time. In addition to the price, some other big positives for this cordless drill include the pivoting handle, the integrated LED light, the 23-position clutch, and the inclusion of hex-shank screwdriving bits. There are two different speeds: 600 rpm with 40 in./lbs. of torque and 180 rpm with 80 in./lbs. of torque for driving.

Pros

low cost

holds charge well

integrated LED light

pivoting handle

excellent build quality

Cons

no charge status light

charging takes a long time

batteries are non-replaceable

spare tip holder is loose and doesn’t hold tips very well

Verdict: At this price, you really can’t beat this as a light-duty screwdriver. It definitely has some cons, but it does have the typical quality you can expect from Black & Decker.

The handle has a comfortable and ergonomic design. There are a few nice bonus features, including an integrated LED light and bit storage. One-hand bit changes are easy with the quick load chuck. This comes with a nice kit bag for easy storage and transport.

Pros

excellent drill driver

fast battery charge

a lot of torque, especially for a cordless

pro-grade batteries

ergonomic handle with bit storage, one-hand bit change

3-year warranty

Cons

battery life tends to decrease significantly over time

Verdict: This is a professional-grade drill at a pretty reasonable price. For a cordless combo drill/driver, it offers a lot of power and some pretty useful features.

This cordless screwdriver has a very compact and lightweight design, weighing just under 2 pounds. In addition to the compact size, it has excellent balance and that really helps to minimize strain and tension.

For a cordless driver, it offers quite a bit of power with 500 RPM and 100 in./lbs. of torque.

It has some nice bonus features like a battery fuel gauge and a built-in LED light so you can see what you’re doing.

If you have an average to large hand, though, the handle is pretty comfortable with a cushioned grip. The 7+1 electronic clutch provides the precision need to get the right speed for different kinds of jobs. With a speed of up to 12,000 rpm, this driver provides a good amount of power.

To make storage easy, there is an integrated hanger hook as well as a nice carrying case.

Pros

compact head design makes accessing tight spaces easy

quick change bit

integrated handle hook for storage

adjustable speed

1-year warranty

Cons

thick handle might be uncomfortable for some

no light

bit is somewhat loose in chuck

Verdict: This cordless screwdriver stands out for its unique design that offers versatility and the ability to easily access tight spaces.

This driver from Dewalt is another one that is good for getting at tight spaces. Despite the compact size, it has a comfortable ergonomic design and it doesn’t compromise on power.

It has a one-handed loading chuck for convenience. You’ll get 2,800 RPM with this screwdriver, making it powerful enough for many professional applications. It provides 3,200 impacts per minute and 1,400 inch-pounds of max torque.

It will serve cabinetmakers and contractors as well as the home hobbyist.

The 20-volt lithium-ion batteries hold a charge well and provide all the portable power you need. A built-in LED light helps you see what you’re doing. The USA-made Dewalt DCF885B also offers a great warranty.

If you don’t want to spend very much and only need a screwdriver for tasks around the house, this Ryobi screwdriver is worth looking at.

It’s extremely compact and lightweight but this means that it doesn’t have a ton of power. The comfort grip handle is adjustable, making it pretty easy to access tight spaces. It offers two speeds: 200 RPM and 600 RPM.

The bit is held in place with a magnetic catch rather than a lock so it might end up being a little loose sometimes. The battery holds a charge for a long time and it charges just like a cell phone, with a micro USB cord.

Pros

low price

compact size and lightweight

adjustable handle

fast charge via USB charging cable

Cons

not a lot of power

not as durable as some other drivers

battery is non-replaceable

magnetic catch rather than lock for bits

Verdict: The Ryobi tek 4 is an ultra-low-cost cordless screwdriver that has just enough power for small jobs around the house.

This Dewalt driver has an adjustable two-position handle, letting you easily switch between a straight and pistol grip. It’s fairly compact.

It is well balanced and minimizes stress on the wrists and hands. You get 80 inch-pounds of maximum torque and 0-500 RPM variable speed.

The hex-shank chuck allows for fast bit changes, reducing your downtime. There is an easy access reversing trigger switch. This comes with a nice kit box to hold the driver, charger, batteries, and bits.

Although this can certainly handle some pro-grade jobs, this tool is probably best for the hobbyist or casual user. This comes with two batteries with good battery life, so you can always have a backup charged and ready to go for when one battery dies.

Pros

good torque

very durable

comes with 2 batteries

2-position adjustable handle

limited 3-year warranty, 90-day money-back guarantee

Cons

a bit wobbly

very long

a bit heavier compared to other cordless models

Verdict: Dewalt consistently makes quality tools and the DW920K-2 1/4-Inch driver is no exception. It’s a great buy for the money.

You might think that any screwdriver at this price point would have to be a piece of junk but you’d be wrong. This ultra-affordable cordless screwdriver from Black & Decker is surprisingly good, especially given the price.

The 3-position pivoting handle gives you versatility and the ability to work in different conditions. One really nice feature of this is the independent flashlight function.

It means you can have a light to see what you’re doing but you can also just use this driver as a standalone bright flashlight so it’s really two tools in one.

It doesn’t have a ton of power but the 4V Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery gives you plenty of power for most light-duty uses.

Pros

great price

decent amount of power, good for light-duty jobs

compact and lightweight

flashlight functionality

3-position pivoting handle for versatility and access

2-year limited warranty

Cons

not a ton of power

forward/reverse switch position is a bit awkward

no charge status light

not variable speed

Verdict: For its incredibly low price, this cordless screwdriver and flashlight combo from trusted brand Black & Decker offers a surprising amount of value. It’s ideal for small jobs around the house but isn’t up for pro-level jobs.

A big advantage to this affordable cordless screwdriver from Tacklife is that it comes with a set of 31 screwdriver bits. This means you’ll be ready to work with just about any size screw.

The bits conveniently come in a nice little case. You get both a front and rear light with this driver, so it’s easy to illuminate dark work areas. You get flexibility and versatility with the 3-position handle. You get even more versatility with the adjustable gear range.

This driver is lightweight and has a comfortable ergonomic design. Charging is convenient because it uses a universal phone plug USB 2.0 charger.

Pros

includes nice set of bits

low cost

convenient USB charging

front & rear lights for visibility

decent amount of power for small home projects

2-year warranty

Cons

not enough power for big jobs

might be a bit too small for some people

not as durable as other drivers

Verdict: The Tacklife SDH13DC cordless screwdriver will offer enough power for small jobs around the house and it also offers a lot of convenient features. That said, it’s not as durable or as powerful as it could be.

This is an ultra-compact screwdriver that has a straight handle with no option for a pistol grip. In addition to screwdriver functionality, this also lets you safely detect live wires from up to 1 inch away with its Patented Circuit Sensor Technology.

It also features an integrated wire stripper and a wire bender. For low-light situations, this driver offers 2 integrated LED worklights.

You get a 9-piece screw driving bit set with an innovative magnetic Bit Grip collar for maximal convenience. One-hand operation is no problem for this compact driver.

For heavy-duty projects, this screwdriver won’t offer quite enough power but it has plenty for light-duty use.

Pros

integrated live voltage tester and wire cutter

comes with 9-piece bit set

ultra compact and lightweight

2 LED worklights

very affordable

Cons

not enough power for heavy-duty jobs

handle isn’t adjustable

Verdict: The HAMMERHEAD 4V Lithium Rechargeable Screwdriver would be worth the price for the live wire detection and wire cutting/bending features alone. The screwdriver functionality is almost a bonus and it offers enough power for most light-duty uses.

Buyer’s Guide

Pick one: Electric Screwdriver or Drill?

Who says you have to pick one? Some drill/drivers give you two tools in one and offer a ton of value. The PORTER-CABLE PCCK604L2 Drill/Driver is a great example. It offers both an impact driver and a drill driver and it can handle any number of professional jobs.

If you don’t need a pro-quality tool like the Porter-Cable, though, you’ll need to consider the type of jobs to decide if you’ll need an electric screwdriver or a drill. For many jobs, you can use either a screwdriver or a drill. Screwdrivers tend to operate at a lower RPM than drills and this gives you more control. For most light-duty home use, an electric screwdriver will be all you’ll need. Since a screwdriver can typically handle some drilling jobs, you’ll be covered. But when you want a tool with a little more power and versatility, going with a 2-in-1 drill/driver combo is generally your best bet.

Which one is the smallest and most portable?

If compact size and portability are important to you, you’ll be happy with a number of the screwdrivers on this list. Some of the smallest and most portable options are the HAMMERHEAD 4V Lithium Rechargeable Screwdriver, the Tacklife SDH13DC, the BLACK & DECKER BDCSFL20C, the Ryobi HP44L, the Bosch PS10-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Driver Kit, and the Milwaukee compact driver.

How long does the battery last? How fast does it charge?

This varies quite a bit from one screwdriver to another but all of the screwdrivers on this list have decent battery life. The Black & Decker PD600 Pivot batteries last quite a while but they take a long time to charge and they’re not replaceable.

To get the most bang for your buck in terms of battery life, consider a screwdriver like the DEWALT DW920K-2 1/4-Inch that comes with two batteries. This means you can always have one charged and ready to go so you minimize your downtime.

A cordless screwdriver is a versatile tool that almost anyone can benefit from owning. This list includes a screwdriver for everyone, from those looking for just a light-duty tool for home use to those serious hobbyists or even professional users.

In my experience, once you own a cordless screwdriver, you end up finding all kinds of projects to use it for!

Have you used any of these screwdrivers? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! Also, feel free to ask any questions your might have about cordless screwdrivers.

HereON.biz is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and we get a commission on purchases made through our links.